Combination space and hot water heater

ABSTRACT

A portable space and water heater for use in camping, mobile trailers, pickup campers and the like, that provides space heating and rapidly heats quantities of water efficiently and safely. Heat is generated by burning bottled propane gas that is delivered, under pressure, through two heating systems each of which contains a simple burner assembly. Flame from one burner assembly is directed into and through metal radiating elements against which a fan means can be employed to disperse the radiated heat. The flame from the other burner assembly is directed into a surrounding water heating system through which water is circulated to be quickly heated. The burners may be used separately or operated together and a pilot light assembly links the two burner assemblies together to ignite either or both of them as desired. Heat from both the water and space heating systems flows from the unit through a common exhaust duct. A gas flow control valve assembly prevents gas flow to the water heater burner assembly when water is not present in, or flowing through, the surrounding water heating system, or when a maximum pressure level within the water heating system is exceeded. Water is pumped into the combination unit from a separate water source that is upstream from the water heater system and the temperature of the hot water generated is regulated by the rate at which water is pumped through the water jacket of the water heater system.

United States Patent [191 Williams Oct. 9, 1973 COMBINATION SPACE AND HOT WATER HEATER [76] Inventor: Garold H. Williams, 43 W. 100

South, Smithfield, Utah 84335 Filed: Dec. 6, 1971 Appl. No.: 205,015

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3/1942 Belt 126/101 3,280,885 10/1966 Kind] 431/193 2,354,507 7/1944 Doherty 126/101 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 671,009 4/1952 Great Britain 126/350 Primary Examiner-William E. Wayner Assistant Examiner-William E. Tapolcai, Jr. Attorney-B. Deon Criddle [57] ABSTRACT A portable space and water heater for use in camping,

mobile trailers, pickup campers and the like, that provides space heating and rapidly heats quantities of water efficiently and safely. Heat is generated by burning bottled propane gas that is delivered, under pressure, through two heating systems each of which contains a simple burner assembly. Flame from one burner assembly is directed into and through metal radiating elements against which a fan means can be employed to disperse the radiated heat. The flame from the other burner assembly is directed into a surrounding water heating system through which water is circulated to be quickly heated. The burners may be used separately or operated together and a pilot light assembly links the two burner assemblies together to ignite either or both of them as desired. Heat from both the water and space heating systems flows from the unit through a common exhaust duct. A gas flow control valve assembly prevents gas flow to the water heater burner assembly when water is not present in, or flowing through, the surrounding water heating system, or when a maximum pressure level within the water heating system is exceeded. Water is pumped into the combination unit from a separate water source that is upstream from the water heater system and the temperature of the hot water generated is regulated by the rate at which water is pumped through the water jacket of the water heater system.

3 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures l ,J' I40 My I! 4 14b 5 in i 2 2 2 22 36 25 3| 2m 22 7 w W 35 53g 33 2| 20 l8o 22b 22 34 PATENTEU OCT SHEH 10% 3 FIG FIG 2 INVENTOR. GAROLD H. WILLIAMS AQQMM ATTORNEY PAIENIEIJ 9W5 3.763.848

' sum am 3 l4 FIG 4 INVENTOR. GAROLD H. WILLIAMS ATTORNEY PATENTEU 975 SHU 30F 3 FIG 7 FIG 6 FIG 9 nou col oooocol m MA TrU N H MW ATTORNEY SPACE AND HOT WATER HEATER BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to combination space and water heaters and is particularly concerned with a compact, low-cost, unit such as might be suitable for use by tent campers or owners of mobile camp trailers and truck-camper combinations.

2. Prior Art There has long been a need for a compact apparatus for use by tent, trailer or pickup truck campers that is capable of performing separately or simultaneously the dual functions of heating a confined area and heating water. In the past, space heating has generally been effected using an individual heater whose sole purpose is to warm a particular area. Water heating has generally been accomplished as it is needed over an open fire or over a camp stove utlizing gas, charcoal or some other COMBINATION such available fuel.

Portable water heaters, such as the instant water heater disclosed in my pending U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 14045, and other water heating devices disclosed therein are representative of the various arrangements of portable apparatus which have been solely employed to heat water and which do not provide efi'lcient space heating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION will efficiently heat water to even very high temperatures and that will heat a radiating element to emit a radiating heat to warm a surrounding space, which heat radiation may be augmented with a blower to provide more rapid heat dispersion into the space.

Other objects are to provide heating systems that will generate radiant heat or that will heat water quickly, with each operation being independently performed or with both operations being'simultaneously performed and with the individual heating systems being insolated from one another such that heat from one system does not affect the other system. 1

Still another object is to provide a pilot light assembly that will ignite either the space heating or the water heating system individually or both systems at the same time, and to provide safety means that will prevent a dangerous heat or pressure buildup, which could cause injury to the unit or to persons in the immediate area.

Principal features of the present invention include a pair of burner assemblies within the combination unit heating system, one of which burner assemblies provides heat which is directed to a radiating element and the other of which directs heat into and through a water jacket arrangement of a water heating system through which water is circulated and heated. The burner assemblies are separate and distinct, can be operated individually or simultaneously, and are spaced apart so that heat from one assembly does not affect or act upon the system heated by the other burner.

The combination unit preferably incorporates an upwsrdly projecting radiating element upon which a flame from one burner assembly is directed. This cle ment is corrugated so that a large radiating expanse is available within a small area. Alternatively, a number of upstanding, adjacent tubes may be positioned proximate to one another as radiating members and a flame from a burner assembly may be directed onto the tubes. A fan can be incorporated in the combination unit to distribute heat radiated by either radiating element throughout the proximate area.

The water heating system includes a vertically extending, flat, hollow walled, water jacket surrounding and above an upwardly projecting, open, gas flred flame of one of the water heater burner assemblies. The water jacket includes a pleated inner element and an outer upstanding water jacket housing within which the burner assembly is positioned. Water flowing between the pleated inner element and the water jacket housing is subjected to a continuous transfer of heat from the inner element which is exposed to flame action, and is, therefor, heated to even high temperatures in a short period of time.

The combination unit includes a pilot light assembly that can ignite either burner assembly individually or that can be used to simultaneously ignite both burner assemblies. Combustible gas is fed from a common source to the individual burner assemblies, each of which has individual valve means to control the flow thereto and a safety valve means is employed through which the gas flowing to the water heating system burner assembly is passed. The safety valve means allows flow to the burner assembly only when pressure within the water jacket of the water heating system is within predetermined limits. Thus, operation when water is not present, or in the event of a dangerous pressure build up in the water heating system is prevented.

The individual burner assemblies in the combination unit are spaced apart so that heat within one heating system does not affect the other system but a common exhaust system is utilized for both burner assemblies.

Additional objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings, disclosing what are presently contemplated as being the best modes of the invention.

THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2, a side elevation view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the exhaust port and the gas and water feed lines; I

FIG. 3, a horizontal section taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4, a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of FIGS. 1;

FIG. 5, a perspective view of a typical sink and cupboard assembly, with the heater of the invention installed thereon and the front of the cupboard broken away for clarity;

FIG. 6, a front perspective view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7, a vertical section view taken on the line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8, a horizontal section view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9, an enlarged vertical section view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 6 showing the pressure activated gas safety valve means, with arrows indicating liquid and gas flow therethrough.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings:

In the illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-5, the combination space and water heater includes a housing 11 with an exhaust port 12 projecting therefrom. The heater 10 is mounted on feet 13a and 13b, which project downward from the undersurface of the bottom of housing 11, and has a radiating element shown generally at 14, mounted to form its front face.

A space heater burner assembly 20, shown best in FIG. 4, directs flame against an inner surface 14a of the radiating element 14. Heat is conducted through the element 14 and at its inner surface and is radiated from an outer surface 14b to the surrounding area. A blower, which is not shown in this embodiment, but which will be arranged as hereinafter disclosed in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 6-9, can be mounted within the housing to direct an air stream over the radiating element to more efficiently distribute the radiated heat to the surrounding atmosphere.

A valve 15, having an operating handle 15a projecting from the front of housing 11, controls the gas flow into the space heater burner assembly 20, and a valve 16 having an operating handle 16a projecting from housing 11 controls the gas flow into a space and water heater pilot assembly 22. A hole 17 in the front of the housing 11, below the radiating element 14, allows access into the combination unit interior through which a match or other lighted taper may be inserted to light the space heater burner assembly 20. Preferably, a conventional sparking type igniter 18, which extends from the front of housing 11 to a striker 180 that is within the pilot assembly 22, is used to ignite the pilot burner 22b of the assembly 22, which in turn lights either or both burner assemblies 20 and 21. Hole 17 provides a means for alternately lighting burner assembly 20 and the lighter will in turn light burner 22b.

A vale 19, FIG. 1, shown at the top and rear of housing 11, controls gas flow to the water heater burner assembly 21. Gas from a propane, butane or other such burnable gas source 44 under pressure, FIG. 5, is fed into the combination unit burner and pilot burner assemblies through an inlet line 23. A line 23a, connects the gas source through valve 19 to the water heater burner assembly 21, and gas from the line 23 flows through line 23b to valve 16, and into the pilot light assembly. Similarly, gas is also fed through line 23b to valve 15 and through line 23c into the space heater burner assembly 20.

The burner assemblies 20 and 21 include burner tubes 20a and 21a, respectively, which are closed at one end and with the gas directed into their other ends. A plurality of holes 20b and 21b are formed through top surfaces of the burner tubes 20a and 21a, respectively, and act as orifices through which gas is expelled to be burned. The flame and heat from burner assembly 20 is directed upward against radiating element 14, and then to a baffle 24. Baffle 24 presents a concave surface to the heat emitted from burner assembly 20, and directs exhaust heat out the exhaust port 12. A layer of insulating material 25 extends from the top of the inside of housing 11, adjacent to baffle 24, downward along the pilot light assembly housing 22a, to a point immediately above burner assembly 20. The baffle 24, together with insulation 25 provides a heat transfer barrier to keep heat from the heat radiating system from being transferred to the water heater system.

The pilot burner assembly 22 consists of a housing 220; the pilot burner 22b, which comprises a tube with an orifice through which gas is expelled; a plate 22c, against which flame from the burner is directed; a tube 22d, through which flame deflected by plate 22c, is directed towards gas emerging through holes 20b in tube 20a of the burner assembly 20; and tube 22c through which flame deflected by plate 22c is directed towards gas emerging from holes 21b in the burner assembly 21.

Flame from the water heater burner assembly 21 is directed towards a water jacket 30. As best shown in the sectional view in FIG. 4, the water jacket consists of an inner section 31 and an outer section 32. Water moving into the water jacket travels through an inlet conduit 33 into an inner section wall 31, which wall is hollow and constructed of a highly heat conductive metal. The wall is accordian pleated within the confines of the outer section 32 and the wall thus has a plurality of sections extending parallel to one another and positioned above the burner assembly 21. Flame from the burner assembly 21 thus contact the lower portion of the upstanding side wall over a great portion of its length. Water is moved from the inner section 31 into the hollow wall of outer section 32 through a conduit 34, that extends from the bottom of the inner section 31 to the top of the outer section 32. Outer section 32 surrounds inner section 31 and forms a chimney through which heat from the burner assembly 21 is directed to exhaust. The heat being exhausted engages the inner wall of section 32 and further warms water within the section wall. The heated water is pumped from section 32 at the lower end thereof through a tube 35. Spacers 36 positioned between the side walls of inner section 31, FIG. 4, hold the walls apart and allow heat generated by the burner assembly 21 to move, thereby heating the entire wall as it is exhausted. The heat from burner assembly 21, after passing through the water heating system, is exhausted through an opening 37 above the inner and outer sections 31 and 32 and exhaust port 12.

The exhaust port 12 extends from the interior of the heater 10 to an exhaust stack 38, FIG. 5, through which unused heat and any combustion gasses are discharged.

As shown in FIG. 5, the heater 11, in use, will normally have an exhaust stack 38 connected to the exhaust port 12 and the outlet side of a pump 39 connected to the water inlet conduit 33. The pump is connected into reservoir 40 and operation of the pump will force water from the reservoir, through the heater and a nozzle 41 connected to the tube 35, and into a sink 42 in a cabinet 43. A conventional pressurized tank 44, which may within the cabinet, or separate, as shown, contains combustible gas (butane or propane) and is connected to the gas inlet line 23.

Heater 11 is mounted in cabinet 43 such that the radiating element 14 is exposed to radiate heat to the surrounding area and such that the operating handles for valves 15, 16 and 19 are easily accessible.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 6-9, generally at 50. The heater 50 is essentially the same as that previously described in that separate burner assemblies, linked by a common pilot light assembly, are employed jointly or singly to direct flame through a radiating heating system and a water heating system. The water heating system of this embodiment is also essentially the same as that heretofore described in the first embodiment, and will not be described again, in detail.

The burner assemblies 51 and 52, FIG. 8, are essentially the same as the burner assemblies disclosed in connection with the first embodiment, but they have a different type pilot assembly 53 linking them together. Burner assemblies 51 and 52 consist of burner tubes 54 and 55, respectively, in which a numberv of rows of ports 54a and 55a, are formed to serve as jets. A combustible gas fed into burner tubes 54 and 55, through feed lines 56, 56a and 57, shown in phantom lines in FIG. 8, passes through tubes 54 and 55 to be ignited as it exits the ports 54a and 55a.

The pilot assembly 53 includes two orifice tubes 53a and 53b which are arranged to continually supply ignited gas to the burner tubes 54 and 55. A common gas feed line 58 connects the junction 530 of the orifice tubes with a source of combustible gas (not shown) and a control valve 59 is provided in line 58 to regulate flow therethrough. Gas entering valve 59, in addition to going to the line 58 and pilot assembly 53, goes through lines 61a and 61b to manual valves 62 and 63, which control flow through lines 56 and 57 respectively. Line 57 carries the gas to burner tube 55 and gas in line 56 flows through a pressure safety valve 73 and then to burner tube 54 through a line 56a.

In operation, the pilot assembly is lighted using a conventional friction starter, not shown, or by the introduction of a match or other lighted taper through a hole 71b in the lower housing 71 into the proximity of the gas jet holes in either burner tube when gas is flowing therein. Thereafter, the pilot flames at the orifice tubes 53a and 53b will light gas through the burner tube ports 54a and 55a, whenever gas is admitted thereto through the valves 62 and 63, respectively.

A base 64, FIG. 6, supports the radiator and water heating systems of the combination heater 50. Opening 65 is provided through the base to allow flame from burner assembly 51 to extend into the water. heating system of the heater. Flame is directed from the burner assembly 52 upwardly through the opening 66 into the heat radiating system 69 of the combination. A central hole 67, FIG. 8, allows air from a blower, not shown, positioned beneath the base 64, to force air through a deflector 60, past upstanding heat radiating tubes 70 of the heat radiating system 69.

The heat radiating system includes a number of the spaced heat radiating tubes 70 within which the flame and heat from the burner assembly 52 is directed. Air from the blower is directed by deflector 60 around and between the individual radiating tubes 70 and into an adjacent room area to rapidly and efficiently distribute heat radiated therefrom into the area. An air deflector shield 70a is positioned between the water heating system housing and the heat radiating tubes 70 to direct air moved by the fan from deflector 60 through the radiating tubes 70, to heat the areas adjacent to the combination unit. Deflector shield 700 also provides an insulation means between the water heating and heat radiating systems. Heat moved through and around radiating tubes 70 moves into an upper housing 71a and is exhausted to a vent stack, not shown, through an exhaust port 72. Surplus heat from the water heating system flows also into the upper housing 71a to be exhausted through the exhaust port 72.

As best seen in FIG. 9, the water pressure safety valve 73 is constructed to permit gas flow through it only when water is either standing in or flowing into the water heating system and when pressure within the water heating system is within predetermined safe limits. Valve 73, FIG. 9, consists of a housing 74 having top, middle and bottom sections 74a, 74b and 740, respectively. The gas feed line 56 enters the valve middle section 74b and extends through the bottom of the upper section 740. Upper section 74a and lower section 746 are hollow and the chambers formed therein are connected by a tube 75. Tube 75 provides a passage for gas flowing into the safety valve 73 through line 56, and exiting through the line 56a connected into the interior of section 74c. A shaft 76 extends loosely through tube 75 and a valve head 77 is biased against shaft 76 and to close the upper end of tube 75. A spring 78, positioned between the top of section 74a and valve head 77 provides the biasing force tending to act against the top of the flow tube 75. A collar 79, formed within the top of section 740 holds the spring 78 centered and the valve head 77 over the tube 75. i

A shaft 76 extends through tube 75, such that its lower end 76b is protruding slightly beyond the lower end 75b of flow tube 75. A flexible, resilient diaphragm 80 is sealingly stretched across the section 74c a spaced distance below tube 75 when valve head 77 is seated on tube 75 and the shaft 76 extends between the valve head and the diaphragm.

An input line 82, through which water is fed into the water heating system of the combination unit 50, has a branch 83 extending from it, that is connected by a fitting 81 to the lower compartment of section 74c formed beneath diaphragm 80. Thus, whenever there is water in the line 82 and the pressure in the line is below that required to seat the diaphragm on tube 75, diaphragm 80 will be raised against the bias of spring 78 and shaft 76 to open valve head 77. Consequently, when the pressure in line 82 is between predetermined limits, gas can flow from line 56, through tube 75 and the upper compartment formed above diaphragm 80 to line 56a and into the heater. If, however, no pressure or insufficient pressure exists beneath the diaphragm the spring 78 will continue to hold the valve head seated and there will be no flowv through tube 75. Gas flow into the heater is thus blocked when there is no water flow into the water heating system.

If a dangerous pressure should be built up in the water heating system of the heater, the pressure will be reflected back into line 82 and branch 83 and will raise the diaphragm to seat it against the bottom of tube 75, thereby cutting off gas flow through tube 75 until the over pressure has been relieved.

While the safety valve 73 has been disclosed in the embodiment of FIGS. 6-9, it should be apparent that it could as well be positioned in the inlet line of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 and-be used therewith or with the inlet of other gas fired flow-through type water heaters.

Although preferred embodiments of my invention have been herein described, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is made by way of example and that variations are possible without departing from the scope of the hereinafter claimed subject matter, which subject matter I regard as my invention.

1 claim: 1. A combination space and hot water heater comprising a housing;

a pair of spaced apart burner assemblies comprising a space heater burner assembly and a water heater burner assembly mounted in the housing, each assembly having a burner tube extending within one end of the housing;

a pilot burner assembly having a burner end arranged proximate to each burner tube;

vent means opening through the housing at the end of the housing opposite the burner tubes;

means for supplying combustible gas from a source to the burner assemblies and to the pilot burner assembly;

a heat radiating means arranged to have flame from the space heater burner assembly directed thereon, located between said space heater burner assembly and the bent means;

a water heating system located within the said housing between the water heater burner assembly and the vent means, and arranged to have flame from the water heater burner assembly directed thereon;

means for circulating water through the water heating system, said means including an inlet through which water is forced into the said water heating system, a pump adapted to be between a source of water and the inlet for pumping water into the wate heating system, and an outlet connected to the output of the water heating system, through which water from the water heating system is discharged;

means for insulating the space heater burner assembly and the heat radiating means from the water heater burner assembly and the water heating system; and

safety valve means between the pump and the water heating system and between the source and the water heater burner assembly, whereby gas flow to the water heater burner assembly is cut off when predetermined minimum and maximum pressures are not present in the water inlet line.

2. A combination space and hot water heater as in claim 1, wherein the safety valve means comprises a housing having upper and lower chambers;

a central passage connecting the chambers;

a valve head;

a flexible diaphragm dividing said lower chamber into upper and lower compartments;

a shaft extending through the central passage and between the valve head and the diaphragm, said shaft being longer than the passage;

means resiliently biasing the valve head to close the top of the passage;

a gas input line connected into the said upper chamber;

a gas output line connected into the upper compartment of the lower chamber and to the water heater burner assembly; and

means connecting the bottom compartment to the water inlet, whereby a predetermined pressure at the water inlet will flex the diaphragm to raise the valve head and open the passageway and a predetermined excess pressure will flex the diaphragm to close passage, thereby preventing gas flow therethrough.

3. A gas fired hot water heater comprising a housing;

a water heating system within the housing comprising means through which water is circulated and a burner assembly including orifice means through which gas is forced to be ignited and directed against the means through which water is circulated;

pump means circulating water through said means through which water is circulated;

means supplying combustible gas from a source of gas under pressure to said burner assembly; and

safety valve means between the pump means for circulating water and the means through which water is circulated and between the source and the burner assembly, whereby gas flow to the burner assembly is cut off when predetermined minimum and maximum pressures are not present at the means through which water is circulated. 

1. A combination space and hot water heater comprising a housing; a pair of spaced apart burner assemblies comprising a space heater burner assembly and a water heater burner assembly mounted in the housing, each assembly having a burner tube extending within one end of the housing; a pilot burner assembly having a burner end arranged proximate to each burner tube; vent means opening through the housing at the end of the housing opposite the burner tubes; means for supplying combustible gas from a source to the burner assemblies and to the pilot burner assembly; a heat radiating means arranged to have flame from the space heater burner assembly directed thereon, located between said space heater burner assembly and the vent means; a water heating system located within the said housing between the water heater burner assembly and the vent means, and arranged to have flame from the water heater burner assembly directed thereon; means for circulating water through the water heating system, said means including an inlet through which water is forced into the said water heating system, a pump adapted to be between a source of water and the inlet for pumping water into the water heating system, and an outlet connected to the output of the water heating system, through which water from the water heating system is discharged; means for insulating the space heater burner assembly anD the heat radiating means from the water heater burner assembly and the water heating system; and safety valve means between the pump and the water heating system and between the source and the water heater burner assembly, whereby gas flow to the water heater burner assembly is cut off when predetermined minimum and maximum pressures are not present in the water inlet line.
 2. A combination space and hot water heater as in claim 1, wherein the safety valve means comprises a housing having upper and lower chambers; a central passage connecting the chambers; a valve head; a flexible diaphragm dividing said lower chamber into upper and lower compartments; a shaft extending through the central passage and between the valve head and the diaphragm, said shaft being longer than the passage; means resiliently biasing the valve head to close the top of the passage; a gas input line connected into the said upper chamber; a gas output line connected into the upper compartment of the lower chamber and to the water heater burner assembly; and means connecting the bottom compartment to the water inlet, whereby a predetermined pressure at the water inlet will flex the diaphragm to raise the valve head and open the passageway and a predetermined excess pressure will flex the diaphragm to close passage, thereby preventing gas flow therethrough.
 3. A gas fired hot water heater comprising a housing; a water heating system within the housing comprising means through which water is circulated and a burner assembly including orifice means through which gas is forced to be ignited and directed against the means through which water is circulated; pump means circulating water through said means through which water is circulated; means supplying combustible gas from a source of gas under pressure to said burner assembly; and safety valve means between the pump means for circulating water and the means through which water is circulated and between the source and the burner assembly, whereby gas flow to the burner assembly is cut off when predetermined minimum and maximum pressures are not present at the means through which water is circulated. 